Informatics for Equality of Educational Opportunity: A Survey of Government of India Initiatives

India has its own vibrant scientific and knowledge tradition from ancient times. But centuries of foreign domination destroyed its knowledge systems. Modern India also holds rich knowledge heritage and world-class education and research facilities such as Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and reputed universities. But resources available are accessible only to a wealthy minority and not to the majority who cannot afford. Though equal opportunity to knowledge and education is one of the cardinal rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India, its provision is a Herculean task. Informatics can help in making resources accessible, and learning an open and free activity irrespective of the geographical vastness, or economic status of the people. E learning enables sharing of study tools in all kinds of formats such as live interactions, videos, slideshows, word documents and PDFs, conducting live online classes and communicating via chats and messages. The paper surveys the Government of India’s initiatives for transforming knowledge and education system compliant to networked society, for providing equal opportunity to all for their access.